Guidelines & Information
Kung Fu Connection offers over eight different styles of Kung Fu. Here you can find articles which present guidelines and information that are essential components to insuring excellence, as well as materialization of all your constructive goals.
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• Hua Shan Pai QiGong
• Tai Chi Chuan
• Benefits of QiGong Practice
• Tai Chi Push Hands
Hua Shan Pai Do Ga Qi Gong
Taoist Exercises—Special Cure for Obesity & Non-bacterial Sickness Without Medicine
For thousands of years, Taoists in China practiced and developed various techniques of breathing to improve and heal sickness in various parts of the vital organs in the human body. They dwelled in mountains and forests to observe, llisten and meditate, gathering greater knowledge and deeper understanding of the universe. In search of immortality they moved from observation of nature to experimentation and practice. To further this goal a healthy body is essential.
We depend on air to live. The basic Taoist theory focuses on the importance of breathing and circulating the air within the body. Mastering various breathing techniques gives us strength and increases blood supply. With plenty of air circulating within our body, our energy and vitality are enhanced. The right combination of air, blood and body fluid will prevent sickness and is conducive to good health and longevity.
Consistent practice of the exercises will eliminate fat and strengthen the stomach and abdomen. Air is concentrated in the abdomen and directed to circulate within the body to nourish the five major organs; heart, lungs, liver, kidney and spleen. It will also strengthen the bone and muscles of the arms and legs and improve the color tone of the skin.
This systematic breathing exercise plan comprises three levels. Each level consists of 36 movements. Exercising the First Level movements will help prevent sickness and prolong a healthy life. The Second Level movements and exercises will help revitalize youthfulness in old age. The Third Level is aimed at harmonizing the mind and body to realize mankinds knowledge of the past and it's vital relevance to present-day life. Practiced correctly and consistently it can:
• Cure obesity
• Lower blood pressure
• Eliminate kidney troubles
• Prevent strokes and heart attacks
• Ease asthma
• Relax nervous tensions
• Lessen the hardening of veins and arteries
• Erase insomnia
• Eliminate mental disturbances
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Tai Chi Chuan
The Supreme Ultimate Fist
The Chinese say that the "secret to long life is Tai Chi Chuan." This Chinese art with its slow, effortless, rhythmical moves can relieve, if not cure, high blood pressure, anemia, tuberculosis, gastric and kidney disease and many others. Furthermore, Tai Chi Chuan when translated means "The Supreme Ultimate Fist" and its effectiveness in self defense should not be overlooked. Also, as one becomes more proficient in the art, the practitioner will find he has actually acquired a peaceful and relaxed mind.
As the ultimate in self defense, the principles of Tai Chi Chuan are related to physiology, dynamics, psychology and moral life.
Physiology: The whole body and the limbs are moved slowly without much exertion, so that the ligaments and bones will develop without harm, the moving of blood and strength will be regular, and the whole body will develop balance.
Dynamics: Every movement in Tai Chi Chuan contains a circle. The circle neutralizes the force of coming attacks, a principle closely related to Newton's law. The route of any matter in motion is straight. If one intends to get control of the coming force at an angle and change its direction, and shift the opponents center of gravity out of the base, the best method is to adopt a circular formation. It not only neutralizes the force, but also employs it for ones own use; for with the help of a slight returning force, it will give remarkable results in a counter attack.
Psychology: Tai Chi Chuan needs slow movements only as it makes use of intrinsic energy. The application of the psychology requires that when you intend to move the energy, you must will that you are moving it; that when you intend to lower it, you should will that you are lowering it to your navel-psychic center. When you intend to apply the intrinsic energy in pushing, you must will that it goes from the palm to the opponent.
Moral Life: A certain amount of space and energy towards the end of each movement, and the joint parts of the upper and lower limbs should not be straight but slightly bent in the form of an arc. To deal with things and people we go a roundabout way without wasting our energy in insisting on an extreme. This is the way to strengthen ourselves to meet unforeseen developments.
In effect, Tai Chi Chuan is closely related to meditation. However, long practice of meditation may hinder blood circulation, but Tai Chi Chuan helps to quicken it. It also helps to bring about the peace of mind and exercise of breathing as desired in meditation. Tai Chi Chuan clears the mind and strengthens the brain. It renders ones thinking lucid, ones mind peaceful and increases ones vital force.
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Benefits of QiGong Practice
China's Medical Legacy
Qigong is a most valuable part of China's medical legacy. Originally used only for keeping fit, it was later adopted also as a curative means and has proved its worth in both respects through long years of practice.
The wonderful effects of qigong have yet to be fully explained in the light of modern science. Initial studies have amply shown how with correct ways of breathing, qigong helps to regulate the equilibrium in the higher nervous system and other systems in the human body, promote normal functions of different organs, and build up inner strength—all inductive to better health and stronger resistance to diseases.
The practice of Qigong benefits many areas of the human body:
• Nervous System—helps regulate equilibrium between excitation and inhibition. For those who suffer from neurasthenia, practicing qigong will make them feel relaxed and gradually improve their sleep.
• Respiratory System—can improve the function of the lungs and increase vital capacity. While the average person normally breathes 17 or 18 times per minute, one who persists in qigong practice can breathe two or three times a minute without feeling out of breath.
•Blood Circulation—aids circulation that benefits the heart. Different kinds of qigong methods can be used to adjust blood pressure. Supplemented by other therapeutic methods, they can cure diseases like high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.
•Digestive System—promotes digestion by stimulating the gastrointestinal movements and secretion of digestive juices. Those who regularly practice qigong usually have a good appetite and seldom suffer from constipation.
•Metabolism—hastens energy in the body, activates secretion in various glands, and helps to keep bodyweight at a normal level and stabilize one's frame of mind.
There are many kinds of qigong exercises, classified according to body postures, such as lying, sitting and standing. Those with weak constitutions must start with the lying posture and gradually progress to exercises in the sitting and standing positions as he grows stronger. Never try the three postures all at the same time.
Points to remember during qigong practice:
1.) Breathe naturally, softly and rhythmically and do not draw out your breath with force
2.) No matter which posture you adopt, position yourself so that your whole body is comfortably relaxed
3.) Try to integrate movement and stillness in your exercise program. Generally speaking, taijiquan (shadow boxing) is a kind of moving exercise in qigong. So besides doing static qigong exercises it will do you good to practice a little taijiquan or some other active forms of fitness exercises
4.) Be patient and perseverant when you practice qigong and don't seek immediate results.
Although qigong can be used to keep fit and cure disease, it is no panacea. Good results can be achieved only when we combine it with other methods of physical training and medical treatment in a way that best suits the conditions of each individual.
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Tai Chi Push Hands
Cooperative Practice
Tai Chi Push Hands is a cooperative two person exercise that balances the energies of both people by applying the principles of Chi Gung and Tai Chi. It enables individuals to neutralize aggression while remaining calm and effective in the face of adversity. Push Hands is also an excellent introduction to the martial aspect of Tai Chi Chuan and is the bridge between the Tai Chi form and fighting.
Push Hands begins in a one handed fixed posture, progressing to a two handed fixed posture, two handed moving postures and finally to a free form exercise. Beginning as a cooperative practice, it can develop into a sophisticated martial arts exercise that is also a two person moving meditation.
Push Hands teaches students to go beyond the physical aspect to feel and use their own energy and that of their partner. With the final goal is fighting health or meditation, Push Hands will develop balance and sensitivity and promote calmness within strength and stillness within movement..
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